rnt in Omura. Then followed an
edict stating the pains and penalties, civil deprivations, etc.,
against all who refused to abandon their apostasy and return to the
faith of their forefathers. Another edict was issued imposing death
upon those who should conduct priests to Japan, and forfeiture of the
ships in which they should arrive and the merchandise with which they
should come. To all informers against native apostates the culprits'
estates and goods were transferred as a reward.

A Spanish deputation was sent to the Emperor of Japan in 1622,
alleging a desire to renew commercial relations, but the Emperor was
so exasperated at the recent defiance of his decrees that he refused
to accept the deputies' presents from the Philippine Government,
and sent them and the deputation away.

Still there were friars in Manila eager to seek martyrdom, but the
Philippine traders, in view of the danger of confiscation of their
ships and merchandise if they carried missionaries, resolved not
to despatch vessels to Japan if ecclesiastics insisted on taking
passage. The Government supported this resolution in the interests of
trade, and formally prohibited the transport of priests. The Archbishop
of Manila, on his part, imposed ecclesiastical penalties on those of
his subordinates who should clandestinely violate this prohibition.

Supplicatory letters from Japan reached the religious communities in
Manila, entreating them to send more priests to aid in the spread of
Christianity; therefore the chiefs of the Orders consulted together,
bought a ship, and paid high wages to its officers to carry four
Franciscan, four Dominican and two Recoleto priests to Japan. When
the Governor, Alonso Fajardo de Tua, heard of the intended expedition,
he threatened to prohibit it, affirming that he would not consent to
any more victims being sent to Japan. Thereupon representatives of the
religious Orders waited upon him, to state that if he persisted in
his prohibition, upon his conscience would fall the enormous charge
of having lost the souls which they had hoped to save. The Governor
therefore retired from the discussion, remitting the question to the
Archbishop, who at once permitted the ship to leave, conveying the ten
priests disguised as merchants. Several times the vessel was nearly
wrecked, but at length arrived safely in a Japanese port. The ten
priests landed, and were shortly afterwards burnt by Imperial order.

In Rome a very dispute